Elliot Aronson, one of the world's leading social psychologists, analyzed the root cause of the Columbine shootings when he gave the Plant Lecture at Hamilton College on Nov. 6, in the Chapel. Aronson discussed 30 years of his own research on how to promote empathy and compassion among students and suggested how the application of this research could have prevented the Columbine tragedy. His talk titled "Could the Columbine Massacre Have Been Prevented? You Bet Your Life," was given as The James S. Plant Distinguished Scientist Lecture.
The James S. Plant Distinguished Scientist Lecture series was established in 1987 through a bequest from Dr. Plant, class of 1912 and an eminent child psychiatrist, to bring to the campus outstanding scientists as guest lecturers.
In the spring of 1999, on a beautiful morning at Columbine High School in Littleton Colorado, two students strolled into school, armed with an arsenal of weapons, and went on a rampage, killing 15 (including themselves) and seriously wounding an additional 23. It was the most lethal massacre of students by students in history. It was not unique: it was one of 11 that took place in the United States over a period of just over two years -- and it will not be the last unless something sensible is done. In his talk, Aronson will explain that the solution to this problem does not lie in metal detectors or the posting of the Ten Commandments but in overcoming the poisonous social atmosphere of bullying, exclusion, and humiliation that exists in most schools.
Aronson has been researching and teaching psychology for 30 years. He graduated from Brandeis in 1954 and went to graduate school at Wesleyan University where he earned an MA in psychology in 1956. From there he went to Stanford where he received his Ph.D in 1959. Since then, he has taught at Harvard University, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Texas. Since 1974 he has been professor of psychology at the University of California at Santa Cruz. He is currently Distinguished Visiting Professor at Stanford University.
He has published 18 books and 125 research articles. His most recent book, Nobody Left To Hate: Teaching Compassion after Columbine, is an analysis of the Columbine High School massacre with concrete suggestions on how to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Aronson has received many awards and honors, but the one he is cherishes most is the Gordon Allport Prize for Intergroup relations in recognition of his successful program aimed at reducing prejudice and building compassion in our public schools.
